महाकाव्यम् - Mahakavyam
Grand Sanskrit Literature / Epic Poetry
They display deep knowledge of Dharma, Artha, Kaama, Moksha


नैषधीयचरितम् - Naishadhiyacharitam
-----------------------------------------

अन्योन्यभाषानवबोधकभीते: संस्कृत्रिमार्भिव्यवहारवत्सु |
दिग्भ्यः समेतेषु नृपेषु तेषु सौवर्गवर्गो न जनैरचिहिन ॥
- नैषधीयचरितम्‌ १०.३४

Meaning - "There were kings who had assembled from different parts of the country. They were scared that they would not understand each other’s mother tongues. Therefore, they conversed with each other in Sanskrit."

Naishadhiyacharitam (नैषधीयचरितम्) by Śrīharṣa (श्रीहर्ष) deals with the story of Nala and Damayanti. Nala was king of the Nishadhas while Damayanti was the daughter of Bhima, king of Vidarbha. The work is considered as one of the Five Mahakavyas (great epic poems) in Sanskrit literature. Composed by Śrīharṣa in the court of Gahaḍavāla King Jayachandra. This Mahakavya, contains 22 cantos, divided into two parts – Purva and Uttara, each of them containing eleven cantos or divisions.

तावद भा भारवेर्भाति यावन्माघस्य नोदय:।
उदिते नैषधे काव्ये क्व माघ: क्व च भारविः:।।
In poets of Sanskrit literature, the name of Śrīharṣa is remarkable.

Naishadhiyacharitam of Śrīharṣa is considered tests for scholars.